“This is what happens when a leading nonprofit jumps into a highly controversial area of public debate withouta communications strategy, stays silent, and therefore lets others take over the public dialogue, perhaps permanently redefining the origination and its brand.

Here’s what you should say on social media: “we are listening.”

“We are listening. We hear you. We are talking internally about our next steps, and will get back to you soon.”

Bottom Line:

Then Kivi nails the real lesson to learn:

“Twitter and Facebook aren’t just fun and games anymore. I think that should be pretty obvious given what happened the past week. We all need to know how to use social media in various situations, including a crisis.”

What can your board learn from this controversy?

Don’t let the discussion become political or religious – instead focus on what you should do in a PR mess – and what you should not do!

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Testimonials

Gail”s energy and ideas will be useful in many aspects of our lives – above and beyond just fundraising. Fundraising is an area that I am not excited about u2013 but now I really feel like I have a new perspective.

Board Member, The Pine SchoolThe Pine SchoolHobe Sound, FL

I really like the way you involve your audience in the discussion with numerous exercises and activities. That really helps people immerse themselves in the topics and creates important buy-in to the subjects discussed.

Jeff WellerBoard ChairRonald McDonald house of the Rio Grande Valley

I love your cultivation strategy of advice visits. I’ve been having a great time contacting various business leaders asking for their coaching/opinion on making the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Red Cross a success. My approach is to briefly outline what the Red Cross does in our community , and ask what successful practices they have seen on the charitable boards they serve on. The response has been great. They are interested and want to have on-going dialogue. Thanks again, Gail!

Karen MildenhallManaging DirectorMarsh, Inc.

It’s difficult to overstate how much I’m enjoying the Insiders! Your energy and warmth and straightforwardness makes the whole idea of working with donors appealing and doable.

Judy Woolen The Livestock Conservancy

Gail, you have a presentation style that puts your audience at ease and draws them in as you make your points. The real life stories you use to illustrate your points are both entertaining and educational.

Thank you for the extraordinary training session you conducted for the Museum this past Saturday. It was informative, thought-provoking and fun. In these challenging times, where resources are scarce, an organization would be wise to use some of those resources engaging your firm.

David H Pottenger IIIBoard ChairmanNC Museum of Life and Science

You sure fired our board members up with ideas and a sense of confidence that they can be great friendraisers for our organization. Your energy and enthusiasm for fundraising was infectious.

Peggy A. GrimesExecutive DirectorMontana Food Bank Networ

Love your blog and ideas. They inspire, remind and provide ideas that I use all the time. Your MPI suggestion is a nice was to remember what seems to me one of the very basic parts of what we do. Thanks for the impact you have had on my career.

Eric Billman

After our retreat, the board member are showing confidence that we are a cause that offers something so critical and worthwhile. They KNOW people will want to support us. They truly have been transformed… thank you!

Jeff WellerBoard ChairRonald McDonald house of the Rio Grande Valley

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Gail Perry inspires nonprofits around the world with cutting-edge fundraising strategies and new tools to make fundraising more successful and more fun. Find smart strategies to help you raise tons of money at Fired-Up Fundraising.com.